Belonging
For my third birthday, all I wanted was to take a horseback riding lesson. My mom arranged a lesson with a local barn, having no idea the impact it would have on my life. My first lesson became my second, and my second became my third until I competed in my first show when I was 5 years old. Even when I subsequently broke my arm, I couldn’t wait to get back on a horse. For the past 14 years of my life, riding has been what has put a smile on my face, kept me sane during school, and provided me with some of my best friends. No matter what is happening in my life, I always feel like I belong at my barn, and with my horse.
In March, I got my horse Earnie. He’s a chestnut, with a unique liver-colored main and tail, four white socks, and a striking white blaze on his face. Undoubtedly he’s an arresting horse, only amplified by his textbook-perfect jumping form. Most importantly, he has the best personality. Whenever I walk into the barn, he perks his ears up and preens his neck to look at me. When he wants a treat, he’ll try to bite my trunk or toss his head in a manner akin to what you would see at an AC/DC concert. He’s also incredibly brave and will jump anything from hay bales to a 4”6 oxer. Even when I’m competing in international classes, and I can barely see over the top of the jump, I feel safe with him.
When school is overwhelming and my week seems insurmountable, my barn is my haven. All my stresses melt away when I get out of my car and walk into the sunlit aisles. Horses can't smile, but Earnie always seems to when I come to his stall (probably because he knows I can't resist giving him my homemade treats). The smell of worn leather and musky hay hangs heavy in the air, a smell I associate with pure happiness. I can hear the clop of hooves on the worn dirt and the birds chirping peacefully in the stalls. My favorite rides are early in the morning when dew glistens on hedges, and the chilly air forms whips of steam. The sun illuminates our indoor ring, casting long shadows across the freshly dragged footing.
I cannot begin to fathom my life without riding. Riding can take my mind off of anything, and it's what has gotten me back on a horse, no matter how many ribs I break. It's a part of my identity I will never lose.
I liked how you related riding to reducing stress in school. I didn't know a lot of the riding terms so it was kind of hard to understand at times. Also, I don't think the long list of friends is necessary. Overall, good job.
ReplyDeleteI love how I can feel your love for riding through this blog post. I can see that you truly feel at home at the barn, and that spending time with the people and animals there makes you feel complete. I love the first paragraph, when your first lesson becomes your second, and your second your third, and so on. It feels like a story that has impacted your life fully. You could consider changing this sentence: "Riding can take my mind off of anything, though I haven’t tried it out with an AP physics yet." because it does sound a little bit awkward, but I get the point you're trying to make. Perhaps you could say "Riding can take my mind off of anything, though I am yet to let it attempt to distract me from AP Physics." You're a really strong writer Sarah! I loved some of the descriptions and analogies you made, like the AC/DC head-flip.
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